The leader of the alleged cult in Socorro, Surigao del Norte, Jey Rence Quilario or Senior Aguila, attended the start of the Senate probe on the alleged abuses and practices of the cult.
The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs as well as the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality started the hearing on the alleged Socorro cult following the receipt of complaints from victims.
Senator Risa Hontiveros said that the Senate received “alarming” reports of alleged rape, sexual abuse, forced labor, and forced marriage of minors in the group Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc.
“A Senate investigation is needed to immediately address these urgent and alarming issues, rescue the children, effect the reintegration into society of the victims, and identify policy gaps in legislation that allow these cults to operate in plain view of the local government unit and other institutions,” Hontiveros said during her privilege speech.
According to a GMA News Report, one of the leaders of SBSI, Mamerto Galanida, said that “they would await personnel from the Department of the Interior and Local Government to come and investigate the claim.”
“Handang-handa kami. In fact, we’re expecting the secretary of Secretary Abalos to come. Wala namang problema,” he said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.
